Diablo with sliding pin clutch and radial bearing surfaces

ABSTRACT

A diablo type spinning toy including a pair of truncated conical end bells non-rotatively mounted on a shaft in spaced apart, nose-to-nose relationship with an over-running clutch rotatively mounted on the shaft therebetween. The clutch comprises a hollow clutch race having on its interior surface a plurality of camming surfaces and driving surfaces cooperating with an escapement pin mounted in and slidable transversely through a transverse perforation at the longitudinal center of the shaft. A pair of generally conical race cups journal the clutch race about the shaft. The end bells may be collapsible to reduce the axial dimension of the spinning toy and means may be provided, engageable with the large ends of the end bells, to provide for increased mass at the periphery of the end bells.

United States Patent 11 1 Dawson, Jr.

[ DIABLO WITH SLIDING PIN CLUTCH AND RADIAL BEARING SURFACES [76]Inventor: Edwin A. Dawson, Jr., 5319 Kugler Mill Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio45236 [22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 339,869

[52] US. Cl. 46/60 [51] Int. Cl A63h l/00 [58] Field of Search 46/60,47; 192/46 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 212,581 2/1879Wright 192/46 2,905,294 9/1959 Kellogg 192/46 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 382,943 12/1907 France 46/60 23,149 6/1908 United Kingdom46/60 23,228 6/1908 United Kingdom 46/60 1 51 May 20, 1975 PrimaryExaminer-F. Barry Shay Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Melville, Strasser,Foster & Hoffman [57] ABSTRACT A diablo type spinning toy including apair of truncated conical end bells non-rotatively mounted on a shaft inspaced apart, nose-to-nose relationship with an over-running clutchrotatively mounted on the shaft therebetween. The clutch comprises ahollow clutch race having on its interior surface a plurality of cammingsurfaces and driving surfaces cooperating with an escapement pin mountedin and slidable transversely through a transverse perforation at thelongitudinal center of the shaft. A pair of generally conical race cupsjournal the clutch race about the shaft. The end bells may becollapsible to reduce the axial dimension of the spinning toy and meansmay be provided, engageable with the large ends of the end bells, toprovide for increased mass at the periphery of the end bells.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 3, 883.985

sum 2 {If 2 DIABLO WITH SLIDING PIN CLUTCH AND RADIAL BEARING SURFACESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvedconstruction and design of a diablo type spinning toy or top. The diablotype top is extremely old. Generally considered, this type of topcontemplates a pair of truncated cones joined nose-to-nose. It isbalanced and spun by means of a string or cord which will typically beattached to two sticks.

The word diablo is Spanish for devil. The toy is so named because of thedifficulty encountered by the ordinary child in learning to use the toy.The operation of the top by someone else makes it look remarkably easy.However, one cannot do it himself without knowing the trick.

In reality, the trick is very simple. The top is spun in one directionby pulling the string in that direction with the string in contact withthe center of the top. If the direction of motion of the string isreversed, it will of course exert a retarding effect on the rotation ofthe top, usually resulting in the complete loss of balance. The tricktherefore is to eliminate this retarding effect by moving the string inthe opposite direction without contacting the top.

In other words, the string is pulled in one direction and at the end ofthe stroke, the top is tossed slightly in the air while the string ispulled in the other direc tion. At the end of this reverse stroke, thetop is once again caught on the string which is now moving back in theoriginal direction to increase or at least continue the same rotationaldirection of the top.

Various workers in the art have proposed the use of an over-runningclutch at the center of such a top to eliminate the manual dexterityrequired to operate the conventional top. Representative patentsteaching this general concept would include U.S. Pat. No. 903,419 in thename of Skeer, and British Pat. Nos. 23228/1907 and 23421/1907.

As just indicated, each of these patents is specifically directed to thegeneral concept of utilizing essentially an over-running clutch at thecenter of a diablo type spinning top.

In general, prior art clutch mechanisms are sufficiently complex innature and expensive to manufacture.

Keeping the foregoing comments in mind, it is a primary object of thisinvention to provide a specific clutch assembly for use in a diablo typespinning top.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a uniqueclutch assembly which is extremely smooth in operation by virtue of thearrangement of bearing surfaces.

It is of course an object of this invention to produce a specific clutchfor use in a spinning top which may be inexpensively manufactured withmodern materials and equipment.

A further object of this invention is to increase the over-all playvalue of the spinning toy by providing design modifications for use bychildren of differing ages and levels of skill.

Closely related to the foregoing, it is an object of this invention toprovide a spinning toy construction which will accept accessories toincrease the performance characteristics of the toy.

Finally, one marked disadvantage of conventional spinning tops of thistype is the physical size. That is, the top is so large that it cannotbe readily or conveniently carried by a child in his pocket.

It is therefore a very important object of this invention to provide atop of the type under discussion which may be collapsed to a size whichmay be readily carried.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a collapsiblespinning toy which may be utilized (manipulated) in both the collapsedand the extended positlOnS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly considered, this invention relates to adiablo type spinning top with an over-running clutch at its center. Thespecific clutch assembly taught in this application includes a pair ofconical race cups joined in nose-to-nose relationship and which journalthe clutch race. A central shaft having an escapement pin cooperateswith the interior surface of the clutch race to provide a remarkablyefficient over-running clutch mechanism for this top.

The ends of the central shaft extend through the conical race cups andare secured to the end bells of the top. The construction and design ofthe race cups and the central shaft are such that these memberscooperate to provide the sole bearing surfaces during rotation of therace cups relative to the shaft and end bells.

The end bells of this invention are designed so as to collapse in apredetermined configuration and always return to the original shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thespinning toy of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spinning toy of this inventionshowing the end bells in the collapsed condi' tlon.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view through theclutch assembly of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through the clutchassembly of this invention showing a modification of the designparticular adapted for use by beginners.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view through an end bell of a toy accordingto this invention showing in an exploded position an accessory.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the end bell of FIG. 6 in thecollapsed condition and with the accessory in place.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a modification of the accessoryshown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, thespinning toy of this invention includes a pair of identical end bells10. Each of these end bells, in the condition shown, are hollow,truncated cones. Intermediate the end bells is the overrunning clutchassembly indicated generally at 12. This clutch assembly is shown inmore detail in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates the spinning toy of FIG. 1 with the end bells in thecollapsed condition. As previously indicated, this is an importantaspect of the invention in that it permits a child to readily collapsethe spinning toy so that it may be conveniently carried in a pocket. Aswill be apparent from the discussion hereinafter, the spinning toy maybe manipulated in either the extended position of FIG. 1 or thecollapsed condition of FIG. 2.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the clutch assembly previously indicatedgenerally at 12 will be described in greater detail. The clutch includesa pair of identical race cups 14 and 16. The race cups may be ofdifferent color to quickly indicate driving direction. Each of theserace cups is again in the form of a truncated cone. These race cupsjournal the clutch race indicated at 18. It will be observed that theoutside surface of the clutch race 18 is cylindrical, and includes theenlarged, knurled annular ring 20. The knurling on the annular ring isprovided to increase the friction between the clutch assembly and thestring or cord by means of which the top is spun.

The interior surface of the clutch race 18 is shown in cross section inFIG. 5. As shown in that Figure, the interior surface of the clutch race18 is provided with a triple cam or ratchet surface. That is, it isprovided with the driving surfaces 22a, 22b, and 220, each of which lieon a radius of the cylinder. The camming surfaces 24a, 24b, and 24 eachextend from the outer end of one driving surface to the inner end of thenext driving surface.

The over-running clutch action involves the cooperation of this interiorsurface of the clutch race (during its rotation relative to the centralshaft indicated generally at 26) and the slidable escapement pin 28.With reference to this Figure, assume that the clutch race is beingdriven by frictional engagement with a string or cord in a clockwisedirection relative to the shaft 26. The end of the pin will be moved tothe right by its contact with the cam surface 24a. It will reach itsmaximum rightward movement when it passes over the driving surface 220.At that point, it will be moved back to the left by contact with the camsurface 24c, and so on.

Assume now that the clutch race 18 is moved in a counterclockwisedirection with respect to the central shaft 26. The right-hand end ofthe pin 28 will be engaged by the driving surface 22b, so as to drivethe shaft 26 in rotation with the clutch race.

Returning now to FIG. 3, it will be observed that the shaft 26 isprovided with the cylindrical central portion 26a. At the center of thecylindrical portion, an aperture is provided which will slidably receivethe escapement pin 28.

At the ends of the central portion 26a are the annularly enlarged thrustbearing flanges 26b. Immediately outside the thrust bearing flanges 26bare the radial bearing hubs 26(- which terminate at their outer ends,respectively, in the bottoming or stop shoulders 26d. The end portions26e of the central shaft are provided with barbs or suitable projectionsfor securing the shaft ends to the end bells of the top.

Still referring to FIG. 3, it will be observed that the clutch race 18is provided with completely open ends. By comparison, the race cups l4and 16 are provided with the inwardly extending flanges 14a and 16a,respectively.

The clutch assembly just described will normally be assembled in thefollowing manner. The clutch race 18 will be pressed into or otherwisesecured within the race cup 14 for example. The central shaft 26 havingthe escapement pin 28 in place will then be set in position, and therace cup 16 may be secured into position over the other portion of theclutch race 18. At this point, the clutch assembly is a finished unit.

Several characteristics of the assembly just described are of greatimportance and should be noted at this time. First of all, it will benoted that the clutch race 18 performs no bearing function whatever. Theradial bearing surfaces include the aperture in the center of theinturned flanges 14a and 16a of the race cups and the radial bearinghubs 26c of the central shaft. When the top is tilted toward or awayfrom the player during spinning, the thrust bearing surfaces wouldcomprise the inner surface of the inturned flange 14a or 16a and theouter surface of the thrust bearing flanges 26b. By virtue of the thrustbearing design just described, the spinning performance of the top whentilted is substantially the same as when it is balanced. To improve thebearing characteristics of the assembly, the shaft and race cups will bemanufactured from suitable materials. For example, the central shaft maybe of a metal, while the race cups may be molded of nylon or the like.

Because of the contact between the escapement pin 28 and the clutchrace, it is to be preferred that the clutch race be formed of arelatively wear-resistant material. By way of example, glass fillednylon is satisfactory.

The area of frictional engagement between the string or cordmanipulating the toy and the clutch assembly may also be subject towear. For this reason, it has been found desirable to form the knurledannular band 20 on the exterior of the clutch race 18 (and hence of arelatively wear-resistant material) rather than as a portion of the racecups 14 and 16.

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross sectional view through a clutchassembly which is identical to that of FIG. 3 with one exception. Itwill be observed that the diameters of the flat ends of the race cups 14and 16 are greater than the diameter of the enlarged knurled portion 20.As will be clearly seen in this Figure, this provides a substantiallysquare notch in which the string or cord may be engaged. This particulardesign results in a top which may be easily spun by a child withrelatively little skill or manual dexterity. That is, when the top isspinning at low speeds, the passage of the driving string through thenotch makes it easier to maintain proper balance.

The preferred design for the end bells of the toy of this invention isshown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As already observed, these end bells aregenerally in the form of hollow truncated cones. The smaller end of thecone will be provided with the aperture 30 which receives a barbed end26b of the central shaft as described earlier. In addition, the smallsurface of the end bell may be provided with a circular recess 32 whichwill receive the large end of the race cup 14 or 16. In this case, thelarge ends of the race cups will be provided with the annular flats 14band 1612 respectively to maintain a smooth, continuous surface betweenthe end bells and the race cups so the string cannot become caught. Itshould be emphasized that during assembly, the end bell may be insertedonto the shaft 26 until the surface 32 comes into contact with the stopshoulder 26d. This will prevent contact (and hence friction) between theadjacent end surfaces of the race cup and end bell.

The performance characteristics of the top will depend in large partupon the weight of the top, and more importantly on weight which isdisposed as far as possible from the center of rotation. To this end, itwill be seen in cross section that the end bells are preferably providedwith a relatively thin wall portion 34 and with a substantially heavierwall portion 36 at the large end. This design of course places thegreater mass as far as possible from the center of rotation and willincrease the performance characteristics of the top.

The collapsible feature of these end bells has been mentioned previouslyin this specification. The collapsible feature depends upon two majorconsiderations. One of these considerations is of course the materialutilized. Preferably the material should be a flexible material havinggood resilience properties and excellent memory characteristics. Athermoplastic material known as EEA produced by Union CarbideCorporation has been found satisfactory. With respect to design, it willbe observed that the interior surface of the end bells is provided witha band of grooves located at 38 and a second band of grooves located at40. In the area of these grooves, the wall thickness is of coursereduced, thereby making that section of the wall more flexible.

ln collapsing the top, the child simply grabs the end bells between hishands and forces them together. The more flexible portions of the walljust described will then bend into the configuration shown in FIGS. 2and 7.

It has already been indicated that increased mass will add to theperformance characteristics of the top. To this end, this inventioncontemplates the addition of the weighted end rings indicated generallyat 41 in FIGS. 6 and 7. These end rings include a circular, flat member42 which may be provided with a central aperture 44 (or a plurality ofequally spaced apertures) to assist in removal. On one face, thecircular. member 44 is provided with the ring 46 which is sized toclosely fit within the enlarged portion 36 at the open end of the endbell. It will of course be possible to provide ridges, grooves,undercuts or the like so that the ring will be more firmly held inposition. It will also be observed that the collapsible featuredescribed earlier is so arranged that the top may be collapsed with theweight ring 40 in place.

A further modification of the weight rings is shown in FIG. 8. Itincludes the circular member 50 having a central aperture 52. On onesurface, it is provided with the depending ring 54 having an inturnedflange 56. This ring and flange in effect provides a recess on theunderside of the member 50 into which a suitable spring member 58 ofrelatively high mass may be snapped. For example, the circular member50, ring 54 and flange 56 may be molded or otherwise formed of arelatively light, flexible plastic material. Additional weight can beadded by simply providing metal rings of varying sizes and shapes whichwill snap into place within the recess just described.

It is believed that the foregoing constitutes a full and completedisclosure of this invention and no limitations are intended exceptinsofar as set forth in the claims which follow.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a diablo type spinning toy for use with a driving string includinga pair of truncated conical end bells arranged in spaced apart,nose-to-nose relationship, the improved clutch assembly in combinationtherewith comprising:

a. a shaft, the ends of said shaft being non-rotatively engaged in saidend bells;

b. an escapement pin mounted in and slidable transversely through atransverse perforation through said shaft at the longitudinal center ofsaid shaft;

c. a hollow clutch race having on its interior surface a plurality ofcamming surfaces and driving surfaces cooperating with said pin to drivesaid shaft at its longitudinal center in one direction and to over-runin the opposite direction; and

d. means rotatably journaling said clutch race about said shaft, saidmeans comprising a pair of truncated conical race cups in nose-to-noserelationship, the large ends of said truncated conical race cups beingprovided with inturned flanges, said means further comprising surfaceson said shaft, said flanges cooperating with said shaft surfaces toprovide radial bearing surfaces.

2. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 wherein said end bells are hollowand collapsible.

3. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 including means at the junctionof said race cups for increasing friction with a driving string.

4. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 including means preventingcontact between said end bells and said race cups.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft is provided withannular flanges presenting said shaft surfaces in a manner to cooperatewith said inturned flanges on said race cups to provide thrust bearingsurfaces.

6. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said clutch race is providedwith a friction increasing annular band.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said annular band isknurled.

8. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the ends of said shaft areadapted to be removably secured to said end bells, and wherein shouldersare provided on said shaft to engage the small ends of said end bellsand prevent contact between said end bells and said means rotatablyjournaling said cluch race.

9. The structure claimed in claim 1 including a pair of rings, eachengageable within the large end of each of said end bells whereby toprovide for increased mass at the periphery of each of said end bells.

10. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said race cups each have afirst axial bore to receive an end of said clutch race and a secondaxial bore to receive said shaft.

1. In a ''''diablo'''' type spinning toy for use with a driving stringincluding a pair of truncated conical end bells arranged in spacedapart, nose-to-nose relationship, the improved clutch assembly incombination therewith comprising: a. a shaft, the ends of said shaftbeing non-rotatively engaged in said end bells; b. an escapement pinmounted in and slidable transversely through a transverse perforationthrough said shaft at the longitudinal center of said shaft; c. a hollowclutch race having on its interior surface a plurality of cammingsurfaces and driving surfaces cooperating with said pin to drive saidshaft at its longitudinal center in one direction and to over-run in theopposite direction; and d. means rotatably journaling said clutch raceabout said shaft, said means comprising a pair of truncated conical racecups in nose-to-nose relationship, the large ends of said truncatedconical race cups being provided with inturned flanges, said meansfurther comprising surfaces on said shaft, said flanges cooperating withsaid shaft surfaces to provide radial bearing surfaces.
 2. The spinningtoy claimed in claim 1 wherein said end bells are hollow andcollapsible.
 3. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 including means atthe junction of said race cups for increasing friction with a drivingstring.
 4. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 including meanspreventing contact between said end bells and said race cups.
 5. Thestructure claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft is provided with annularflanges presenting said shaft surfaces in a manner to cooperate withsaid inturned flanges on said race cups to provide thrust bearingsurfaces.
 6. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said clutch raceis provided with a friction increasing annular band.
 7. The structureclaimed in claim 6 wherein said annular band is knurled.
 8. Thestructure claimed in claim 1 wherein the ends of said shaft are aDaptedto be removably secured to said end bells, and wherein shoulders areprovided on said shaft to engage the small ends of said end bells andprevent contact between said end bells and said means rotatablyjournaling said cluch race.
 9. The structure claimed in claim 1including a pair of rings, each engageable within the large end of eachof said end bells whereby to provide for increased mass at the peripheryof each of said end bells.
 10. The structure claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid race cups each have a first axial bore to receive an end of saidclutch race and a second axial bore to receive said shaft.